Page 49 of Split

Duly noted.

“What’d he do?” I ask hesitantly, clasping my hands together in front of me to conceal their nervous tremble.

Roman’s brows pinch inward, a little crease forming between them. “Who?”

“Nox,” I reply hoarsely. “I already let him back outside, but if he made a mess, I can clean it up. Just…pleasedon’t hurt him.”

Roman stares at me for a long moment, those green eyes burning into mine as the muscle in his tightly-clenched jaw feathers. “I’d neverhurtmy dogs,” he grits out, as if I’ve offended him by suggesting he might. “And I won’t have mywifescrubbing the floors like an employee.”

I advance in his direction, not trusting him as far as I can throw him. “Just let me…”

He holds up a hand to halt my advance. “Clara will take care of it,” he snaps.

I shrink back, swallowing thickly.So much for bravery.

“O-okay,” I stammer, head bobbing in a feeble nod. “I’ll just go start getting ready for dinner, then.”

“No need, I won’t be dining with you tonight,” Roman murmurs absently, gaze flickering down as he re-buttons the cuffs of his shirt. “I have to go into the city for business.”

“Alone?” I blurt.

His eyes ping back up to mine, narrowing suspiciously. “If youmustknow, Niko will be accompanying me.”

“Oh,” I breathe, heat rising to my cheeks.

He arches a dark brow. “Were you expecting something else?”

“N-no,” I rush out, mentally berating myself for my slip-up. Now he’s onto me, and he’s obviously trying to bait me into admitting I overheard something I shouldn’t have. “I just don’t like being here alone at night,” I say with an innocent tilt of my head, batting my lashes to really play it up. “It’s creepy.”

“Well, you won’t have to worry about that,” he replies flatly. “Clara will be staying the night to make sure you don’t get into any mischief while I’m gone, like last time.” Roman gives me a pointed look and I turn away to hide the unwitting blush that rises to my cheeks, memories oflast timefiltering through my brain.

He ordered me to my knees. He made me crawl. He used my body for his own pleasure and left me desperately unfulfilled.

“I won’t be returning until morning, and the manor will be on lockdown while I’m away,” he adds, yanking me out of the filthy scene replaying in my mind and back to the present.

“Lockdown?” I repeat, a cold sense of unease washing over me. “Is everything okay?”

Roman waves a hand dismissively. “Just a precaution, nothing for you to worry about. The doors are to remain locked until I return, and I’ll be calling in a security team I’ve worked with in the past. They’re very discreet and keep to the perimeter of the estate, so you won’t even know they’re here. I’ll likely be keeping them on for the foreseeable future.”

My heart pounds against my ribcage, a prickly feeling of foreboding creeping up my spine.

I thought the monsterinsidethe manor was dangerous, but if a man as intimidating as my husband is bolstering his security, whatever threat he’s facing must be even more terrifying.

I may despise Roman, but do I actually wish death upon him?

“Okay, I’ll be sure to stay inside and keep the doors locked,” I reply, forcing a brittle smile to my lips. “Be safe in the city.”

He grunts in affirmation, turning on a heel and striding back into his office, dismissive as always. You’d think that if he’s put the manor in some sort of danger, he’d at least keep his roommate a little better informed. I shouldn’t bother being concerned for his mortality when he clearly doesn’t give a damn about mine.

I don’t wait around in hopes that he’ll have a sudden change of heart and spill his secrets. Instead, I head outside while I still can and track down the dogs, intent on bringing them back in. If I’m to be locked up tonight, they’re much better company than stone coldClara.

Sleep doesn’t come easily with Roman away from the manor. Despite sneaking the dogs into bed, I can’t manage to relax and quiet my anxious mind. I toss andturn, startling at every creak and groan of the house settling. I struggle to recall what Magnus said over the phone, wondering where my husband is and whether he’s in danger.

It’s not that I particularly care about Roman Volkov’s wellbeing. I’m connected to him– for better or worse– so a target on his back is also one on mine. Any danger to him is a danger to me. That’s the only reason I care.

Or at least that’s what I keep telling myself.

I do finally manage to drift off to sleep at some point, but I wake with a start when Nox suddenly perks up beside me, a growl rumbling in his chest as he stares into the inky darkness beyond my bed. Vesper lifts his head from his spot at the foot of the bed, looking in the same direction as his brother. I hold my breath as I focus my own eyes on the shadow lurking across the room, the icy claws of fear wrapping around my throat.

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